Charles Brandon, 1st Duke of Suffolk

Charles Brandon, 1st Duke of Suffolk (1484-22 August 1545) was Lord President of the Council from 1530 to 1545, preceding William Paulet. He was the closest friend and brother-in-law of King Henry VIII of England.

Biography
Charles Brandon was the son of King Henry VII of England's standard-bearer, who was slain by Richard III of England at the Battle of Bosworth Field. He was brought up at King Henry's court and became a great favorite to King Henry VIII of England, who made him Master of the Horse in 1513. In 1515, Brandon married Mary Tudor, King Henry's sister.

Brandon distinguished himself at the sieges of Therouanne and Tournai in 1513 during the War of the League of Cambrai, and he was created Duke of Suffolk a year later. In 1523, he was sent to command the English troops in Calais, and he laid waste the north of France during the Italian War of 1521-26. In 1524, he was appointed Earl Marshal of England, but he relinquished the office to Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk in 1533. In 1544, he commanded another invasion of France, and he died in Guildford, Surrey in 1545.